5 Reasons To Celebrate Your Down Syndrome Diagnosis

To the parents that just found out their baby will have Down Syndrome. I wanted to tell you your baby is worth celebrating! Here is why:

1. You might be scared that your life will be different because your child won't be "normal". That is not true. Your child is not any less "normal" than a "typical" baby. Your baby will still eat, poop/pee/spit up on you, cry, laugh, play and do everything else that a "typical" baby does. They will reach every milestone, but it will be an "extra" special celebration because they worked so hard to master it. That is worth celebrating!

2. You may be scared that your child will be unhealthy. You may have heard this from your doctor, the news, or social media. However, your baby can be healthy. Just because they are EXTRA special doesn't mean they will have some of the medical complexities that sometimes come with Down Syndrome, that have made the world view Down Syndrome as "unhealthy". Guess what? Lots of babies with Down Syndrome are born without medical complexities, just like"typical" babies, and lots of "typical" babies are born with medical complexities, just like those with Down Syndrome. There is no difference just because of that extra specialness your baby has. That is worth celebrating!

3. You might be mourning right now for the child you thought you would have. These are valid feelings that you need to have. Take your time and work through them. However, I want to tell you that a year from now, you will look back on this moment and you will tell yourself how silly you were. You will realize how lucky you are. It's hard to see it now, but I promise it's the truth. That is worth celebrating!

4. You may feel very alone right now. You are not alone! There is an amazing community right here waiting with open arms to welcome you, support you and love on you! You have just gained access to the most supportive and uplifting family who knows exactly how you feel! That is worth celebrating!

5. Last, but not least, CONGRATUFREAKINLATIONS, you are having a baby...who just happens to have Down Syndrome! And THAT is worth CELEBRATING!

(If you are a new mom to a baby with Down syndrome and would like to see what your life might be like. I document ours on Instagram - @thegaddisgazette - we are just like a normal family with a little extra love)

Emma's 3rd Birthday Party (Finding Dory Theme)

Emma turned 3 on July 30th, 2018. This was the first year that she chose her party theme and she chose Finding Dory. Since Blake was still so young, only 3 months old, I just got a premade pack from Party City and ordered her cake. We also had the party at my mom's house, so again I didn't have to worry about cleaning my house to be party ready.

I clearly was not as put together in everything for this party as the previous years. We are just going to chalk that up to life with newborn.

Related: Emma's Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Birthday

Related: Emma's Milk and Cookies Birthday

Family photo was very entertaining to try to get.

You can see Emma's other birthday parties here (1st and 2nd). 

July 2018

July 2018 was much slower than June, way less doctor appointments for Blake.

Emma was much more into Blake this month.

 And Blake was still just as cute as can be!

Emma had her 6 month dentist appointment. This was the first appointment that she didn't sit in my lap for since I had to hold Blake. She did awesome!

 We had a lot of down time. She also regressed in potty training when Blake came home, thus the pull up, and I just kind of went with it because it made it easier at the doctors offices to not have to take her potty.

We had the annual 4th of July parade at the lake.

Blake's personality really started to shine through!

Emma got to go to the local water park with Mimi. 

She was sad Mimi had to go back home.

I started being a little more adventurous going out with two kiddos to places other than a doctor's office. We went to the library story time a few times.

 And the of course I have to pump after every outing, which is the bane of my existence. A whole post to come about exclusively pumping.

We had a lot of down time this month at home because it is hard to go places with a newborn and 3 year old by yourself. 

 Working hard on that therapy. He did learn to roll over from tummy to back this month though which was awesome. You can read more in his upcoming 3 month post. The purple pants are called hip helpers and I will write more about that in another post about helpful products for babies with Down Syndrome.

Once he learned to roll it was hard to keep him on his tummy to practice neck strength. 

 Tummy time is such hard work.

Blake started being a lot more interactive this month as well. 

He has an octopus toy that he loves! He can talk to it and play with it all day long. 

Emma transitioned back into daycare at the end of the month well. She went back a week early because Blake had some appointments and it is easier to go without her. About a week before she went back we took her out of pull ups and she went back to panties pretty easily. It took a whole year to fully potty train her, I am not looking forward to potty training Blake after the experience with Emma. 

Emma got a scooter for her birthday and she loves it. Note: we did get her a helmet.

Related: Emma's 3rd Birthday Party

She really likes to play with the filters on all the different apps as well. 

That was our July!